Acalypha hispida (Red Hot Cat’s Tail, Bristly Copperleaf, Chenille Plant, Fox Tail, Philippine-Medusa, Red Cat’s Tail, Red Cattail, Chenille)
Botanical Information
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus | Acalypha |
| Species | hispida |
| Category | Annuals, Tropicals |
| Origin | New Guinea and Malaysia. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10 - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1b |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -5 - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 23 - 50 |
| Height | 1.2 - 1.8 m |
| Spread | 1.8 - 2.4 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Freely flowering broadleaf evergreen. |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings. |
| Cultivation | Best grown in full sun to partial shade with a wide variety of soil conditions from acidic to slightly alkaline and will also grow in sand, loam, or clay. Moderate drought tolerance, poor salt tolerance. Keep soil moderately moist but not soggy. Feed monthly from March to September. |
| Pests | Mealybugs, red spider mites, and scale. |
| Leaf Description | Ovate leaves are 15 - 20 cm long. |
| Flower Description | Flowers droop in cattail-like pendant clusters up to 45 cm in length. are bright red to deep pink. |
| Colour Description | Flowers are bright red to deep pink. Foliage is medium green. |
| Texture Description | Foliage is coarse. |
Photographs
Acalypha hispida, form.
Acalypha hispida, flower.
Awards
